The Dolls House

How much does the porter charge Nora?

Fifty Ore

The Tarantella

Folk dance; quick steps and teasing, flirtatious behavior between partners

Which word means a different thing to Nora at the end of the play?

Freedom

Anne Marie

Gave up her daughter to be a nurse. Sacrifice happiness for economic necessity

Where does the play take place?

In the house, they never leave the house, and really the living room.

Dr. Rank suggests that for next year's party, he will go in what costume? Why?

Invisible, because he is going to die.

Through whom does the author reveal that people are not always what they seem? Give an explanation for this.

When Nora is boldfacing not telling Torvald her secrets. ?????????????

When Torvald reveals his love for Nora at the end of the play what does Nora say about his love to her? What does this tell us about both characters?

That he is not in love with her, but he is in love with the idea and thought of her. This shows that Torvald does not actually love her for her, and it shows that Nora no longer loves Torvald and sees right through him. Whenever Nora does not live up to the image Torvald wants her to, he gets upset.

To what is Nora referring at the end of Act III when she speaks to Torvald of the "most wonderful thing of all," the one thing it would take for their marriage to work?

That it would be an equal marriage.

What is the name of the dance that Nora is due to perform at the part?

The Tarantella

Example of dramatic irony?

"I wish you were in trouble so i could save you then go ahead and open the letter"

Why does Torvald refuse to give Krogstad back his job despite Nora's pleading?

1. His reputation would be ruined if people thought he was swayed by his wife; 2. Krogstad insists on calling Torvald by his first name; 3. Helmer thinks Krogstad is morally corrupt.

How many letters were there, and what did they say?

2 1st: Telling Torvald what happened 2nd: Saying that he forgives Nora

How many children do the Helmer's have?

3

Which object parallels Nora's condition?

A Christmas tree; At the beginning, it is beautiful and fully decorated, like Nora; at the end, it is stripped and bare, also like Nora

What happens in the last line of the novel?

A Door Slams

What insulting comment does Torvald make about Kristine behind her back?

A bore, and a creature.

Tarantism

A disease or form of hysteria that appeared in Italy 15-17th century and was associated with the bite of a tarantula spider; victims were seemingly cured by frenzied dancing

Motif

A distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition letters (written letters): their information can be used as leverage

Krogstad

A lawyer Has a position in Tovalds bank

A Dynamic Character

A literary or dramatic character who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude. Her decision to embark on a journey of self-discovery, and to breakaway from her relationship where she acts as a "doll."

Key Facts

A play written by Henrik Isben Late 1870's in Norway Play begins Christmas Eve

Realism

An attempt to make art and literature resemble life. Torvald's attitude towards women. Torvald and Nora's relationship. The language, it is everyday language, the subject matter, they are having difficulty with their marriage and finances, its real life. Deals with real life and uses everyday language.

The Nurse?

Anne-Marie - The Helmers' nanny. Though Ibsen doesn't fully develop her character, Anne-Marie seems to be a kindly woman who has genuine affection for Nora. She had to give up her own daughter in order to take the nursing job offered by Nora's father. Thus, she shares with Nora and Mrs. Linde the act of sacrificing her own happiness out of economic necessity.

What did Nora consider doing to get money?

Asking for money from rank.

Foreshadowing

Be a warning or indication of (a future event) when helmer is trying to teach nora to dance, he says to someone for them to play the piano so that he can control nora better. This is foreshadowing that he feels the need that he has to control her.

What costume does Dr. Rank suggest for Nora for next year's party and why?

Charmed life, just the way she is she is beautiful, lucky, and privileged just the way she is, she is charmed, her life is charmed.

When does the play begin and end?

Christmas Eve, New Years Day

How does Dr. Rank feel about Nora? How do we know? For what reason does Dr Rank die "symbolically?

Dr. Rank was in love with Nora. We know because he ... Dr. Rank dies symbolically because of his immoral lifestyle?

How does Nora eventually view Torvald towards the end? Give the specific details that tell us this. How does it affect Torvald? Why is this such a mind blowing part of the play?

Eventually Nora views Torvald as a controller who wants to think of Nora as the perfect woman. She views him as a stranger, She says I don't take money for stranger, I don't sleep with stranger. They were married for 8 years, and all of a sudden she just walls him cuts him off. It leaves Torvald in disbelief and he says that he can change and will try his hardest but Nora says no he can't.

What is Torvald's FIRST response when he reads Krogstad's second letter?

He is relieved that he sent back the letter, so no one will see it, and he says that they are saved. He then says the he forgives her, and that she must not mind all of the awful things that he said about her. Basically, "Im saved, Im saved!" "What about me?" "Ya, you too." He is not worried about her going to jail, he was worried about his reputation, and now it is saved; it is all about him.

What is Torvald's reaction to the announcement that Dr. Rank is going to die?

He says "ah, my poor friend" and says how he knew he would not be here for much longer, but did not think he would be gone so soon. He is not very surprised, even though he is an awesome friend that comes over like every day.

What does Torvald have to say about knitting vs. embroidery? What does this tell us about his character? What does this tell us regarding the plotline?

He says knitting is ugly and embroidery is more feminine, and that knitting it is chinese like because your elbows stick out; he has not changed; he is an awful and nasty guy who has not and will not change.

What does Dr Rank say about Krogstad and think about the world as a whole?

He says that Krogstad is a moral invalid, he is morally diseased, the world is a sick house a sanatorium.

Upon return from the Tarantella dance, what does Torvald's actions show us about the nature of the relationship between he and Nora?

He views her as more of an object of possession and beauty and is still in love with the idea of her, but Nora is dodging him and is not sure if she is really in love with him. Not built on equality, he is physically aggressive, and their relationship is built on physical.

What does Torvalds say that no man can sacrifice love for?

His honor

What effect does Krogstad's blackmail have on Nora?

It makes her aware of her true feelings

What is the significance of New Year's Day?

It marks the beginning of Nora's new life

What country did Torvald need to travel for his health?

Italy

What does Nora buy for her children?

Ivar: a new suit and sword; Bob: horse and trumpet; Emmy: a doll and a doll's bed

From whom did Nora borrow money?

Krogstad

What about a shipwreck?

Krogstad and Christine are reborn as well. When these "two shipwrecked people [...] join forces" (3.42), they each get a fresh start in life.

Which two characters were in love years earlier?

Krogstad and Mrs. Linde

Whats up with Krogstad?

Krogstad's wife died he's a widower he's living in pennilessness in a shack with his sons he is desperate

When Dr. Rank leaves the stage for the last time, he says to Nora, "thanks for the light, " a response to her having lit a cigar for him. What is he really saying here?

Light means kind of enlightenment; this is the last time that he is seen before he dies; symbolically he is dying being he can not get what he wants which is the love of her; he is saying thank you for enlightening me about what they are

What does Linde say that she needs from Nora? What does this tell us about her character?

Linde says that she needs a job from Nora, this tells us that Linde is able to swallow her pride and do what she needs to do in order to support her family; she is a hard-worker. Her job also makes her feel important, and she loves to feel this week. She is an independent woman who does what she want when she wants, she does not care what society thinks of her.

More Facts

MAJOR CONFLICT · Nora's struggle with Krogstad, who threatens to tell her husband about her past crime, incites Nora's journey of self-discovery and provides much of the play's dramatic suspense. Nora's primary struggle, however, is against the selfish, stifling, and oppressive attitudes of her husband, Torvald, and of the society that he represents. RISING ACTION · Nora's first conversation with Mrs. Linde; Krogstad's visit and blackmailing of Nora; Krogstad's delivery of the letter that later exposes Nora. CLIMAX · Torvald reads Krogstad's letter and erupts angrily. FALLING ACTION · Nora's realization that Torvald is devoted not to her but to the idea of her as someone who depends on him; her decision to abandon him to find independence.

When does Nora walk out on Torvald?

New Years Day

What is significant about Nora's announcement that she is going to take "off her fancy dress" - in other words, her costume?

Nora is going to stop her facade, she is going to stop pretending

How does Torvald treat Nora and how does it affect her. Give a specific instance or example and explain.

Nora is going to stop her façade/charade as a "doll" that can be controlled by the men.

Mrs. Linde

Nora's childhood friend

Once Nora and Torvald return from the party, what does Torvald have on his mind?

Nora; He wants to be with Nora.

Where does Torvald think the money is coming from?

Noras dads inheritance

What does Krogstad say that he is most concerned about? What is trying to do?

Not about the money, but about his reputation, the job will give him his reputation back and he lost his reputation and job because he was a forger.

Nora Helmer

Protagonist of the play, loves money

What kind of play is this?

Realism

Extended Metaphor

Refers to a comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph or lines in a poem. When helmer is calling nora a songbird and a lark because he believes she is perfect and only an object of beauty, when in fact she is none of those things.

What does Torvald do after reading the second letter?

Says that he did not mean any of the things that he said before, and he is happy that he is saved, and when Nora asks "what about me?" he is just like "Oh yeah, you too."

When did Nora's father die?

September 29th

How does Nora react when Krogstad interrupt her and her children?

She Screams

What does Linde reveal about why she came back? What does this tell us about her character and why?

She came back for Krogstad and to get the letter back for Nora, but she decides not to because she wants Nora and Helmer to work it out. This shows that Mrs. Linde wants what is best for the people round her, even if it might not be what the people want atm.

What - exactly/precisely/specifically - draws Mrs. Linde and Krogstad back together?

She came back to find love with him; She went to talk to Krogstad to get the letter back for Nora; When she is talking to him she changes her mind because she feels that she needs to talk to Helmer about it, and they need to talk it out.

How does Nora feel about herself at the end of the play?

She feels more independent and knows that she needs to get out of the relationship with Torvald.

Nora's action of dancing uncontrollably and wearing masks and unmasking becomes symbolic of what? What does it reveal?

She is going to say what she has been feeling the entire time, and she is no longer hiding anything. Her wearing it is her being a doll for Torvald, her taking it off is showing her becoming more independent.

According to Torvald - after reading the first letter - how will life be different for Nora from that point forward?

She is not allowed to take care of her children, because he says she is an unfit mother, and they have to pretend that everything is fine even though everything is broken. Love doesn't matter, and we need to keep pretending that everything is alright and put on a show.

What does Nora think about her own criminal action of forgery? What does this reveal about her as a character?

She knows that it was wrong, but she did it to save the people she loved. This shows us that she is willing to risk her own name and social status in order to save the people she loves.

Referring to #1, what ended their previous relationship?

She left him for a richer man, she broke up with him over a letter.

How does Nora pay her debt?

She puts away small amounts of money from Torvald and spends half and pays the other half. She had some jobs before that.

What does Nora think that will happen if Torvald finds out about what she has done behind his back?

She thinks that he will save her because he said that he wanted to save her. That he will pay the debt immediately.

Why does Kristine tell Krogstad NOT to ask for his letter back?

She want to force Helmer and Nora to talk to each other about all of the secrets that they have been keeping from each other. She thinks this is the best thing for Nora even if it turns out badly. Part of it was to prove that she does not just want to get back with him for the letter. If Torvald were to get mad and kick her out, Nora would be freed because she already says that she is going to either run away or kill herself.

What does Mrs. Linde confessed to Krogstad?

She wants to get back together

Why does Nora leave?

She wants to go discover herself in the world.

Why does Nora ultimately leave Torvald? In other words, why does Torvald have that effect on her?

She wants to go discover herself, and she can not do that with him because he tries to control her and hold her back from her full potential.

How is Torvald's reaction to Krogstad's first letter different from what Nora is expecting? (first tell me what she was expecting and then how his reaction is different.)

She was expecting him to save her because he said that he wished he could save her, and to say hey, let's work it out; when he has the chance to save her, he does not take it and he thinks about himself.

Static

Showing little or no change Torvald shows no change in his character throughout the entire play.

Give two pet-names that Torvald calls Nora in the play

Skylark; squirrel; squanderbird; songbird

Theme

The subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic Role of a woman and parents: Society expects women to act like "dolls" and bow to the will of the men in their lives and follow their parents wishes Appearances and impressions vs. reality: Nora's initial perceivement of Torvald vs. the kind of person he really is

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities The christmas tree in Nora's house, it adds charm to the house = anticipation. New Year's Day = new beginnings

What does the tree represent?

Their relationship and their house falling apart.

How are Nora, Mrs.Linde, and Anne Marie similar ?

They all gave up something dear because of economic circumstances

What does Torvald believe about criminals and people that are largely amoral?

They are disgusting and have no morals, and are low life.

Torvald admits that when he and Nora are at a party, as they have been that night, he pretends what about the two of them?

They are strangers and are falling in love from across the room; she is a perfect woman; he falls in love with the idea of her.

According to Nora, what is special about the idea of her and Torvald sitting together to talk?

They had never had a serious conversation before in all 8 years of their marriage, this is the first time that they had sat down and talked to each other.

What do Nora and Linde have in common?

They were friends in school ,and at the the end of the story they have the same outlook... they both want personal freedom. They both worked jobs to make money, Nora becomes independent just like Linde.

Theme? Examples?

Things are not always as they seem. Torvald, the letter, Nora Role of a woman and parents: Society expects women to act like "dolls" and bow to the will of the men in their lives and follow their parents wishes Appearances and impressions vs. reality: Nora's initial perceivement of Torvald vs. the kind of person he really is

The incident about the macaroons and her wiping her face shows us what about Torvald?

This incident shows us the Torvald is controlling, and he expects to be obeyed because he is the master of the house. And, Nora is deceiving, but respects his rules in front of him. Torvald is in charge of the house and he makes the rules, Nora plays the roles that he wants her to be.

The use of pet names for Nora reveals what about Torvald's character?

This reveals that Torvald thinks that Nora is not his equal, that she is subordinate to him. He sees himself superior to her.

What action does Nora hope Torvald to take? In other words, what does she say is the miracle she was holding out for?

To save her, and to forgive her, and to think about bother her and him and not just himself. The miracle she is looking for is an equal marriage.

What does Torvald do when he finds out that Nora has borrowed?

Torvald flies into a rage and makes many derogatory comments about her as a mother, woman, and wife.

How does Torvald view himself and his role within the household?

Torvald views himself as the head of household who should handle all "important and complex" responsible.

Dr. Rank

Tovarlds BFF Falls in love w Nora Doesn't care about people's opinion

Tovarld Helmer

Treats Nora like a child Concerned with status and place in society

How much money did it cost to go to Italy?

Twelve hundred dollars- 4,800 kroner

What is it that has finally opened Nora's eyes to the truth about her marriage?

When Torvald was yelling at her in rage because of the 1st letter. She realizes that she doesn't love him anymore, which she realized when he did not stick up for her. When she realizes that he wasn't the night and shining armour that she thought he was.

Dramatic Irony

When an audience watching a play understands what's going on in a situation while the characters are unaware of what is happening when we know what nora is hiding from helmer, but he does not know

How has Nora managed to produce the money on her own to pay back the loan?

Whenever Torvald gave her money, she saved half of it; she managed to get a copying job last Christmas (what she was doing instead of making the flowers for the Christmas tree)

Stage Directions

an instruction in the text of a play, especially one indicating the movement, position, or tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting (glancing at her watch)

Round

complex characters that undergo development Nora

What does the tarentella dance become symbolic of?

deceit deceive him keep him away from the truth, the truth is downstairs in the letter box

Both Krogstads act of blackmail, and Noras act of forgery are acts of...

desperation

What does Torvald tell Nora must happen after he learns of what she has done?

may live in house to keep pretenses make it look like everything's okay

Foil

opposite characters to emphasize differences people: Krogstad vs. torvald. couples: Krogstad + Linde vs. Nora + Torvald.

Flat

uncomplicated characters that do not undergo change helmer